U.S. talk show ridicules Canadian soldiers

OTTAWA - As Canadians mourn the loss of four more fallen soldiers in Afghanistan, a videotaped segment of an American TV talk show where panelists mock Canadian troops as slackers is making the rounds on the Internet.

The five-minute segment, dubbed Taking a Breather, which aired recently on Fox News late-night program, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld - and was recently posted on youtube.com - features American panelists suggesting Canadian soldiers need time off for "manicures and pedicures."

The segment aired after Gen. Andrew Leslie, the Canadian military's Chief of Land Staff, told a Senate committee the country's tapped armed forces would need a one-year break from operations after the difficult mission in Afghanistan winds down in 2011.

"The Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white capri pants," Gutfeld said with a sneer, adding: "Isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army."

Another panelist, Doug Benson, said he was unaware Canadian troops were on the ground in Afghanistan.

"I didn't even know they were in the war. I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight - you go chill in Canada," he said.

The segment has been posted online by an outraged Canadian who gave it the title: "How to Lose Friends and Alienate Countries."

So far, more than 3,000 people have posted responses to the clip, which also makes fun of RCMP officers and their red uniforms.

Fox News was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, the bodies of four Canadian soldiers will be repatriated to Canada Monday, three days after their deaths in two separate bomb arracks in Afghanistan. Flag-draped caskets of Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, will arrive at CFB Trenton for a repatriation ceremony attended by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and Defence Minister Peter MacKay.

The four deaths and eight more injuries occurred as the Canadians were working with U.S. troops to attack and disrupt Taliban command centres and supply lines.